Impressive Pooler edge past Black-and-Ambers in titanic tussle

Pontypool welcomed old rivals and near neighbours Newport to picturesque Pontypool Park in a Super Rygbi Cymru match on Saturday when both teams were involved in an enthralling game in front of a sizeable crowd, writes Ray Ruddick. This was a huge derby win for Pooler against last season’s runners-up and particularly with Newport making a good start to this first season of Super Rygbi Cymru and Pooler’s form being inconsistent in the first five games. It was a fiercely competitive clash between these two famous clubs with matches going back over 120 years, but with huge mutual respect for each other.

Pontypool kicked off attacking the scoreboard end of the ground on a fine, dry and very pleasant autumn afternoon. Pontypool started the stronger and had the better of the early exchanges, having the lion’s share of possession and territory, but could not break down a stubborn Newport defence. However, in the 19^th minute the stalemate was broken when Newport were penalised at a scrum, 5 metres inside their half in midfield and home centre Kieran Meek slotted a fine kick (3-0). The visitors then came back into the game but Pooler’s defence was equal to the challenge. Then, in the third minute of injury time at the end of a very close first half, Newport broke out of defence near their 22 and took play to inside their hosts’ 22 when Pooler centre Joel Mahoney was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock on. From the resulting penalty and ensuing lineout, Newport scored a try by hooker Wade Langley, 15 metres in from the right corner. This score was converted by outside half Carwyn Penny. Half time score – Pontypool 3 Newport 7.

In the 49^th minute Pontypool made their first change of the afternoon when Kelvyn Williams was replaced by Owain James at tight head prop and six minutes later Marcus Jones took over from Mathew Powell on the left wing, Ieuan Jones replaced Dan Hill in the second row and outside half Harri Ford made way for Pat Lewis who went in the centre and Kieran Meek moved from centre to outside half. Just before the hour mark play was inside the Black-and-Ambers’ 22 and, after several drives towards the visitors’ goal line, the ball was spun left and Marcus Jones squeezed over in the corner for a try which Kieran Meek converted with a great kick (10-7). Four minutes later saw Pooler make more changes when flanker Scott Matthews was replaced by Callum Davies and a few minutes later Kyan Best took over from Sam Cochrane at loose head prop.

With around seven minutes remaining Newport were pressing and putting pressure on an impressive Pooler defence. This pressure eventually told when replacement back rower Josh Reid crossed the goal line for a try from close range to put Newport back into the lead. Another replacement, Will Reed, kicked the conversion (10-14). So there was all to play for going into the final stages of this absorbing contest and it was Pooler’s turn to ask questions of the Newport defence with several powerful drives thwarted by the visitors. Then in the 79^th minute Pooler recycled, play went left and the ball eventually reached hooker Sam Scarfe who managed to gather and cross for a try in the corner. Kieran Meek kicked another great conversion from wide out (17-14). There was a minute to go for Pooler to hang on to this slender lead and they managed to see out the final 60 seconds, just, to record a significant win. Final score – Pontypool 17 Newport 14.

It was a game of small margins and, on the balance of play, Pooler fully deserved their hard-fought win. This was Pontypool’s first victory over Newport since the 27-17 success at Pontypool Park in April 2012, having not met for around eleven-and-a-half years. Both teams went toe-to-toe in a great battle which was played in the right spirit and the both defences were absolutely superb. Well done to Pontypool and Newport on such a fascinating and compelling match. Particular congratulations to the Pooler playing squad and coaching team for their much improved showing on recent form. The next challenge for Pontypool is a difficult trip to St Helen’s to face Swansea on Thursday evening, kick off will be at 7.30pm. This game will be televised live by S4C Clic.

Pontypool: Huw Anderson, Jordan Thomas, Joel Mahoney, Kieran Meek, Mathew Powell (replaced by Marcus Jones), Harri Ford (replaced by Pat Lewis), Morgan Lloyd, Sam Cochrane (replaced by Kyan Best), Sam Scarfe, Kelvyn Williams (replaced by Owain James), Dan Hill (replaced by Ieuan Jones), Joe Davies, Scott Matthews (replaced by Callum Davies), Mike Herbert (captain) and Morgan Allen.

Newport: Ioan Davies, Lloyd Lewis, Jon Morris, Chay Foster-Smith, Liam Lloyd (replaced by Will Reed), Carwyn Penny, Che Hope (replaced by Dafydd Buckland), Tom Workman (replaced by Harry Fry), Wade Langley (replaced by Henry Palmer) Nathan Evans (replaced by Ollie Drake), Max Williams (replaced by Joe Peard), Barney Langton-Cryer, Josh Skinner (replaced by Josh Reid), George Young (replaced by Kyle Tayler) and Ben Roach (captain).